With what you've said, I would strongly consider renting a large commercial duty tractor to do your prep work and then buy a lawn tractor. I had to do much of the work you are describing and rented a 4wd Kubota Tracor (don't remember the model but it was not a garden tractor, but a large commercial tractor). It came with a front end loader and a very rugged, ulta heavy duty tiller. I tilled rock hard clay, did a small amount of cutting and moving dirt around with the loader. It cost about $125, delivered to my lot, for 8 hours of use on the time meter on the tractor. I had it delivered Friday afternoon and they picked it Monday morning. Had a lot of fun, really did a superb job on tilling and leveling. It was easy to use, took only a couple of minutes to get used. After about 6 hours of use, I did some minor stuff for my neighbors to use the remaing time. It was a diesel and very powerful (oh yea, I had to pay a fueling charge also).

As lkbum suggested, I second the rental tractor. In fact, do as i did and get a estimate from a local guy with a Bobcat and does landscaping/excavation work. I was able to have terracing done in my back yard by this guy for about the same as renting the tractor! I was shocked by the price, it was a no-brainer for me. Plus I would have had to spend time learning the controls, etc. But if they're hungry and fast, you can get a good price. He did a very nice job and didn't leave until we were satisfied with the way it looked. Took him a couple days but can't remember the cost now. Then buy you lawn tractor.

Thanks for the followups. I've considered renting. Local place has a 58" tiller for $250/day--don't know what other things would cost.

The reason I was leaning away from renting is because having a tool to do this type of thing on hand would be very convenient to make ongoing modifications. If I have someone do some of the stuff, or rent something for a day, I might have to do that again and again. Certainly at least 2 times a year for garden tilling.

I wouldn't buy a lawn tractor just for mowing. If what you're saying is that a lawn/garden tractor can't do much of anything besides mow, then... I probably shouldn't get one. Are they really that weak?

And if you suggest have someone else do big stuff and then buy tractor for small stuff, which tractor would you suggest?

Thanks!

You can get a pretty powerful lawn tractor, it just sounded like you had some major stuff to do. I checked at my rental yard and the Kubota tractor I rented in the past is now $175. I do not have much experience with the heavier duty stuff with exception of borrowing my neighbors Simplicty Legacy (see the link below). Very nice machine with a great tiller, but I don't know about longevity. You can also get a loader and backhoe. If looking for something in this price range, I would also look at Deere, Kubota and Cub.

Here is a link that might be useful: legacy tractor

If you insist on doing this yourself and not wanting to rent a tractor, you will be looking at a sub-CUT or even CUT class of tractor. With a (mid mount mower) MMM, (front-end loader) FEL, and a tiller, you will be looking (new) at $15-20K+. These diesel-powered 4WD tractors hold their value quite well, and if you can fit them in your budget, you won't be disappointed. That said, they are not excavators. At some point there is always a project better hired out to the right size equipment.

Maybe you could stop by dealers in your area and talk to the salespeople and ask for their opinions.

Cheers

JDFANATIC

You say you're a quick learner and are handy with your hands. This might make you a good candidate for a used machine. That $15-20K in the used market will buy you much more machine.

Another thought: is there anyone nearby that will come out and plow your land for you? Look in your classifieds under services and you might find someone who will bring out their big utility tractor and 5 bottom plow for a reasonable fee. Once the ground has been turned over it will be much easier for tillers on garden tractor and SCUT sized machines to work. That's not to say they won't be able to break up the soil as is, it will just take them much longer and put more wear on the tines.

The biggest problem faced by big garden tractors and sub compacts with regard to ground breaking tasks is traction. The engines are more than powerful enough to do the work but the machine simply can't carry enough weight to prevent traction loss.

I suggest setting a budget you're comfortable with, bump it 10%, then start looking for a well maintained used machine. That will be comfortable to operate and will do most of what you want done. Save a little money for machine rentals and hire outs for the really big tasks.

johnsinva wrote, "The biggest problem faced by big garden tractors and sub compacts with regard to ground breaking tasks is traction. The engines are more than powerful enough to do the work but the machine simply can't carry enough weight to prevent traction loss."

John, a big garden tractor yes, but not the sub-CUTs I have worked with (JD, Kubota, MF, and NH). Ballasting is an issue through the spectrum of tractors, but the bigger ones are designed to handle the extra weight. For my 2210, I have loaded rear tires (110# each) and a weight box filled with concrete (680#). There is no stopping the 2210 in low range with this combination.

Cheers

JDFANATIC

"I'm looking at several thousand dollars for a budget (that needs to include attachments)."

For this budget (under $5,000) and for the work you want done, you are looking at a used garden tractor with a tiller and renting/paying someone else to do the large jobs. I have a friend who recently bought an old 8N with FEL, finish mower and rear blade for ~$4,000. It would do most of what you need done, but isn't very good at mowing (it will look like a pasture, not a lawn).

You might consider checking out EFC Equipment in Richland WA (Buck Bond), also @ http://www.efcconstruction.com. They have a very good reputation and sell all kinds of processed pre-used grey market Japanese tractors (4x4's, with tillers and loaders) like Yanmar, Iseki, Mistubishi, etc. He also services them and sells parts. You can get a nice 24HP model with those attachments for approx. $8k, or smaller models for less. I've been very happy with my Iseki 4x4 19-hp model w/ 48" tiller ($4.5K, 2000-lbs.).

I went the "rent big, buy small" route with my poperty. Not at all satisfied with the way the builder graded my lot, I tilled up whatever weedy grasses had established in the first season, then rented a big New Holland diesel 4x4 with a FEL. I think it was $125 for a full day. All I had to do was hitch up their trailer and drag it away. Then I did all the grooming with my garden tractor. I laid about 12 pallets of sod in the front, 100 lbs of seed in the back (when you're talking about tiny Bermuda seeds, that's a lot!), just add water and... POOF! instant lawn.

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I bought used, and got what I think was quite a bit of capability for $2k. You can check my math, but I don't think I spent more than $2500 for the whole grounds maintenance package:
Used Stuff
tractor, 42" mower deck, cart, bagger: $2,000
30" tiller: $60
42" blade: $100
New Stuff
plug aerator: $160
125lb spreader: $120?
poly roller: $50?

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The tiller will easily break up sod, but if it's really thick, it's best to scalp it with the mower first. I live on sand (obviously), but I'd imagine the blade would be just as good at grading tilled up clay.
I'd definitely recommend buying a good garden tractor with light duty earthmoving capability. That allows you to keep the project in a continuous state of improvement, at your own pace. But you definitely want to kick it off with the proper sized equipment.

Hey marineguy,
Looking good! My only question: are you rated to operate that thing and you DO realize it doesn't have any propellers?! :)

PS Nice place.

marineguy,

Ditto! :) Congrats on your nice place!

Cheers

JDFANATIC

Thanks guys,

Lakeguy: No, apparently I was not at all qualified to operate that thing, which is why my crepe myrtle on the west side of the house has a nice scar up the length of the stem where I swiped it with the FEL! While concentrating on raking, it escaped my attention that I still had a bucket sticking out four feet in front of the steering tires. It seems to have recovered well (you can see it behind my Vee-dub in full bloom). It took me about five minutes to get the hang of coordinating the joystick movements with the tractor's forward motion, but I was definitely satisfied with the end result. I can't imagine using a loader efficiently without a foot-controlled hydrostatic trans (unless you have three arms).

There was a third oak tree between the driveway and the other two, about 12" around. Rather than grinding the stump out when I brought it down as part of the yard overhaul, initially I just cut it level with the grade and figured I'd just mulch it and plant another tree on top of it. As you could imagine, all I ended up with was a struggling cherry tree with an out of control oak bush growing at its base. The cherry tree is now thriving in the back yard and after grinding the oak stump/roots down 12" it has ceased to re-emerge. It's amazing how quickly a creeping-type grass can cover up the evidence.

marineguy,
I'm glad I'm not the only one who does stuff like that! A few years ago I drove my 1st riding mower. It came with the house and was a basic design with the engine in back. I wasn't paying attention one day while mowing between the lawn between the curb and some dogwoods. There was just enough room for the mower. Well, I was looking at the neighbors new SUV and came too close to the dogwoods that had low branches. The first branch knocked my left foot off the brake, OK close the throttle on the dash,...Whoa! the second branch hit me in the chest as the mower continued forward pinning me in the seat... the mower continued driving with the rear wheels... the ignition, also on the dash! Can't reach it! By now the front of the mower has climbed up the tree trunk and is threatening to tip over backward... finally my brain said "TAKE IT OUT OF GEAR DUMMY!" This stopped the forward motion but the engine is racing, the mower and I are totally wedged between the ground and the trunk looking at the sky! The branches still have me pinned to the seat! 10 min later I met my wife in the back yard bleeding from multiple scratches, scrapes, cuts, etc. She was angry of course because "Why hadn't I called out for her help?" Oh, yeah, and have my neighbors come out to view my predicament?! I decided right then that either I would get out of it by myself or die trying! :)

Fanatic bring your rig down to my place about mid-july. If you get a full bucket of "soil" I'll buy the beer. Your MFWD might help you some, but this clay I have is some tough stuff.